Is A Roof Required For Exterior Exit Stairs?

The means of egress in a building must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm), and the wall between the exterior exit stairways and the building interior must be rated per Section 1027.6. Exit access stairways and ramps can have no protection, provided the travel distance is measured to the level of exit discharge. In Group R-3 occupancies not more than four stories in height, exterior exit stairways and ramps serving individual dwelling units are not required to be separated from the interior of the building where the exit stairway or ramp discharges directly.

Exit access stairways and ramps between the balcony, gallery, press box, and the main assembly floor in occupancies such as theaters, places of religious worship, auditoriums, and sports facilities are also considered safe egress stairs. A stair inspection checklist is provided in this document, outlining information to collect during a field investigation of the condition of an interior or exterior staircase.

For exterior staircases, homeowners may need a permit, which they are responsible for getting. They should check with their municipality on zoning and development bylaws in their area and be aware of the code requirements in their area. Exterior exit stairways and ramps must be open on not less than one side, except for required structural columns.

Outside stairs serving an exterior exit access balcony with two remote outside stairways or ramps may be unprotected. Exterior exit stairways and ramps must be separated from the interior of the building as required in Section 1023.2. Openings are limited to those spaces with 20 or fewer occupants and a maximum common path of egress travel of not exceeding 125 feet. If a stair is considered a required exit, standpipe and hose connections must be provided.

What is the difference between interior exit stairway and exterior exit stairway?

Interior exit stairways and ramps differ from exit access stairways in that they may not have a fire-resistant rating. These stairways and ramps typically have a fire-resistant rating, which varies based on the number of floors they serve. If an exit stairway cannot discharge directly to an exit door, it may need to be connected to an exit passageway for continued fire protection. Any opening into the exit stair must also be protected, and windows are allowed in exit doors but not in exit passageways.

Do exterior stairs need to be fire rated?

The exterior stairs, which are both combustible and noncombustible, are in compliance with the stipulations set forth in Article 3. 2. In accordance with Article 3. 8, such exterior stairs are exempt from the requisite fire-resistance rating. This is on the grounds that they are structural members situated outside an exterior building face and within three meters of a property line.

Do exterior steps require a landing?

In accordance with the regulations pertaining to outdoor stairwells, a floor or landing is required at the top and bottom of each stairway. Furthermore, the width of the landing must be a minimum of the width of the stairway in question, measured perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Can exit discharge have stairs?

The International Building Code (IBC) defines exit discharge as a path to the public way, but section 1028. 1 allows two exceptions. The first exception allows an exit discharge to be on the interior, from interior stairways or ramps to an exterior exit door or through a vestibule. Under these exceptions, not more than 50 of the number and minimum width or required capacity of the interior exit stairway or ramp can pass through these areas.

The second exception allows encroachments into the egress width and capacity, including door swings, handrail projections, and other protruding objects. Egress courts serving less than 10 occupants or occupancy group R-3 are not required to have a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated wall construction for a distance of 10 feet above the floor.

Should exterior steps be sloped?

The radius of curvature at the nosing edge of treads should not exceed 9/16 inch. Outdoor stairways must have slightly sloped treads to prevent water accumulation. A slope of 1/8 inch per foot is recommended for water runoff, but not exceed the maximum allowable slope of 2 (1/4 inch per foot) in any direction. Building codes limit tread slope to reduce nonuniformity of effective riser heights and occupant slip risk.

Stair landings must be at the top and bottom of stairs, with minimum widths and depths of 48 inches for nonresidential buildings and 36 inches for residential buildings. Landing surfaces should not be sloped more than 2 (1/4 inch per foot) in any direction.

Why are there stairs on the outside of buildings?

Stairs are essential architectural features that connect people with different parts of a building and are flexible for both indoor and outdoor use. They are often designed as fire exits and escape routes, freeing up space inside a property, especially in smaller residential buildings. Exterior stairs provide entry and exit, making it efficient for moving around a building. As a structural feature, stairs are subject to building regulations like step height, pitch, handrails, and landings.

While functionality is often prioritized over aesthetic value, the design of an external staircase can enhance the overall aesthetic of a residential dwelling. These stairs can be artistic, sculptural, minimal, and colorful, adding character to all types of homes, both private and social. These stairs are often featured in residential projects.

Do fire escape stairs need to be enclosed?

Escape stairs are typically enclosed within a fire-resistant enclosure to protect escape routes from fire. This enclosure creates a protected zone between the stair and the rest of the building, with any door in the enclosing structure being a self-closing fire door. Each escape stair should have its own independent final exit. However, an enclosure is not typically necessary for occupancy capacities of 60 or less, 61 to 100, and at least one escape route through a protected zone, external escape stair, or another compartment.

What is the building code for exterior stairs in NYC?

The text outlines the requirements for stairways, sidewalk stairs, passageways, and hallways in public spaces. Stairways must be at least 42 inches wide, with existing stairways having widths of 36 inches or 30 inches if constructed before July 1, 1925. Sidewalk stairs and doorways must be 30 inches wide. Passageways and hallways must have clear widths at least equal to the exits they serve at the beginning, but no less than 44 inches. If serving more than the beginning exits, their widths must be increased to serve at least two-thirds of the aggregate number of persons served by the tributary exits.

Why do NYC buildings have stairs outside?

Building fireproof interior staircases was costly and would reduce rentable space. New building codes allowed landlords to attach iron or wood exterior staircases. However, enforcement of building codes was not strong, leading to poor fire safety. It took over 50 years and the deaths of 146 garment workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in 1911 for the city to clamp down on landlords and developers. The factory had only two exits, one locked to prevent theft, and a fire broke out in a rag bin, leaving no feasible escape route.

Do steps need an overhang?

The overhang distance for stair treads is determined by factors such as the riser height, stairway width, and local building codes. The International Residential Code (IRC) recommends a minimum overhang of 3/4 inch and a maximum of 1 1/4 inches. For optimal comfort and safety, the overhang distance should be between 1 and 1 1/4 inches. Oak Valley Designs offers a variety of indoor/outdoor carpet stair treads, designed to cover staircase steps and come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. These carpets are made from materials like wool, nylon, and polypropylene.

Do exterior stairs need footings?

Stairways require a footing at the bottom to support the stringers, which must be sized to support the load on the stairs, as quantified by the International Residential code. The footings should be 12 inches deep for freestanding decks and 12 inches deep for decks connected to the house via a ledger. The stair footing must be set to the frost depth or deeper for the area, while the deck must be 12 inches deep for freestanding decks.

The IRc does not provide prescriptive designs for footings at stairways, but the Design for code Acceptance (DcA) 6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck construction Guide provides a solution, showing 4×4 guardrail posts alongside the stringers.

These posts bear on top of concrete footings placed at either frost depth or the 12-inch minimum depth, whichever is deeper. Jack studs are fastened beneath the bottom of the stringer to transfer the stringer load to the footing.